R55 2016 Clubman Spy Shots
#27
03-10-2015 | 08:19 AM
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
I don't think they can get rid of it, no one seems to want it....
Lord knows how low the price will go on it later this year since it will be 3 model years old ....
http://www.miniofchicago.com/Vehicle...-IL/2449303243
#28
03-10-2015 | 08:37 AM
If you want a TRULY scarce MINI model, take a look at the MINI CLubVAN that's sitting at Mini of Chicago. I think it's a 2013 that's never been titled. Ice Blue, with the rear glass swapped out for metal painted inserts since it was intended for commerical usage like a Ford Transit or a larger M/B / Dodge Sprinter.
I don't think they can get rid of it, no one seems to want it....
Lord knows how low the price will go on it later this year since it will be 3 model years old ....
http://www.miniofchicago.com/Vehicle...-IL/2449303243
I don't think they can get rid of it, no one seems to want it....
Lord knows how low the price will go on it later this year since it will be 3 model years old ....
http://www.miniofchicago.com/Vehicle...-IL/2449303243
#29
03-10-2015 | 09:01 AM
Pretty rare Clubvan.
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#30
03-10-2015 | 09:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: Palatine, IL
In low ceiling height garages or parking areas, those barn doors are a welcome thing since you don't have to worry about your hatch hitting something above your head as you're opening it.
Second thing, and this is becoming a 'thing' among car manufs... People are falling in love with electric operated hatches and tailgates over a simple manually operated one. The only problem is that once it's sent on its way after you've opened it, it can be powered right up into something low-hung as mentioned above. Some designs allow the customer to 'set' the max opening height so the hatch or tailgate doesn't open up so far when in use.
3rd thing, the Clubman R55 had the barn doors, the much older Classic version had them too, at least in some photos I've seen, so I guess the styling/marketing people feel it's MINI feature keeping in with historical build of this particular MINI model
Second thing, and this is becoming a 'thing' among car manufs... People are falling in love with electric operated hatches and tailgates over a simple manually operated one. The only problem is that once it's sent on its way after you've opened it, it can be powered right up into something low-hung as mentioned above. Some designs allow the customer to 'set' the max opening height so the hatch or tailgate doesn't open up so far when in use.
3rd thing, the Clubman R55 had the barn doors, the much older Classic version had them too, at least in some photos I've seen, so I guess the styling/marketing people feel it's MINI feature keeping in with historical build of this particular MINI model
#32
03-10-2015 | 01:32 PM
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
I can't tell, do you think it's moveable or easily removed for storage of longer items that would fit inside if you could route them all the way to the dash, like with no R/F seat installed? 
I passed by it once, but have looked more at the on-line pics than I ever did in person since it didn't really interest me.
I passed by it once, but have looked more at the on-line pics than I ever did in person since it didn't really interest me.
#33
03-10-2015 | 02:16 PM
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
I totally agree with you that it is a huge departure from what the MINI brand traditionally stands for! A shame that the desire for profit ruins the traditions of a company! But I do work in marketing and understand their desire for a bigger customer base. It's too bad they don't know how to market their awesome cars a little better so they could stick to the heart of what the brand has been for so many years.
#36
05-28-2015 | 12:53 PM
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Hasn't it been common knowledge for ages now that the F Clubman would be about the size of the R Countryman and the F Countryman would share it's general size with the F series BMW X1?
As a new parent with a kid in a rear facing seat, the F55 is just not quite big enough and the R Countryman has little appeal with it's old engines and jacked up ride height.
So if BMW would hurry up with the F54, I'd likely have a new car. There are getting to be fewer and fewer choices of manual sedans/hatches and pretty much no rwd sedan/hatch choices with a manual any more. And it's not like any MINI (not Mini) has been a real looker, plus I like ugly cars, an M Coupe, 135i and X1 speak to that.
As a new parent with a kid in a rear facing seat, the F55 is just not quite big enough and the R Countryman has little appeal with it's old engines and jacked up ride height.
So if BMW would hurry up with the F54, I'd likely have a new car. There are getting to be fewer and fewer choices of manual sedans/hatches and pretty much no rwd sedan/hatch choices with a manual any more. And it's not like any MINI (not Mini) has been a real looker, plus I like ugly cars, an M Coupe, 135i and X1 speak to that.
#37
05-28-2015 | 01:12 PM
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Hasn't it been common knowledge for ages now that the F Clubman would be about the size of the R Countryman and the F Countryman would share it's general size with the F series BMW X1?
As a new parent with a kid in a rear facing seat, the F55 is just not quite big enough and the R Countryman has little appeal with it's old engines and jacked up ride height.
So if BMW would hurry up with the F54, I'd likely have a new car. There are getting to be fewer and fewer choices of manual sedans/hatches and pretty much no rwd sedan/hatch choices with a manual any more. And it's not like any MINI (not Mini) has been a real looker, plus I like ugly cars, an M Coupe, 135i and X1 speak to that.
As a new parent with a kid in a rear facing seat, the F55 is just not quite big enough and the R Countryman has little appeal with it's old engines and jacked up ride height.
So if BMW would hurry up with the F54, I'd likely have a new car. There are getting to be fewer and fewer choices of manual sedans/hatches and pretty much no rwd sedan/hatch choices with a manual any more. And it's not like any MINI (not Mini) has been a real looker, plus I like ugly cars, an M Coupe, 135i and X1 speak to that.
#39
05-29-2015 | 05:23 AM
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
#43
06-10-2015 | 07:28 AM
Mule Car sticker 
They come in white or yellow in that starry night pattern.
They come in white or yellow in that starry night pattern.
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Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#44
06-10-2015 | 01:10 PM
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 2
From: West Des Moines, IA
#45
06-10-2015 | 01:30 PM
#46
06-10-2015 | 03:22 PM
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
#48
06-11-2015 | 10:36 AM
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
My clubman needs better AC too. My wife R56 can freeze you out , and that is both the 2011 and 2012 she has now. I guess they used all the same components as the smaller interior cars and hoped for the best, but it lacks on these 100+ days for sure. I can live with it but it takes 5-6 miles to start cooling well and my commute is 4.5
#50
07-12-2015 | 01:46 PM
Neutral
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0